Description
The Who - It’s Hard – Vinyl Record
Released on September 4, 1982, It’s Hard is the tenth and final studio album from The Who’s original run before their 1983 breakup. Coming just three years after Keith Moon’s passing, it marked the band’s second and last album with drummer Kenney Jones, formerly of The Small Faces and Faces. The album was released during a turbulent time for the band, as internal tensions, creative struggles, and shifting musical trends in the early 1980s made it a difficult project. Despite these challenges, It’s Hard delivered several standout tracks, including “Athena,” “Eminence Front,” and “I’ve Known No War,” while also serving as the soundtrack to The Who’s “farewell tour” in 1982—which, at the time, was intended to be their final run before disbanding.
Musically, It’s Hard embraced the slicker, more polished production typical of early ’80s rock, incorporating synth-heavy arrangements and tighter, more structured songwriting. While The Who had experimented with synthesizers as far back as Who’s Next (1971), the use of new wave-style keyboards on It’s Hard felt more in line with the era’s prevailing sound, akin to what contemporaries like The Rolling Stones, Genesis, and The Police were doing. However, despite the modern production, Pete Townshend’s songwriting retained the introspective and socially conscious elements that had always defined The Who, with themes of aging, regret, war, and existential frustration running throughout the album.
The record opens with “Athena,” an upbeat yet lyrically melancholic song inspired by Townshend’s unrequited feelings for actress Theresa Russell. While it was released as a single and performed well on the charts, some critics and fans felt it lacked the raw energy of The Who’s best work. “Eminence Front,” on the other hand, became the album’s standout track—a moody, synth-driven song about deception and materialism, featuring one of Townshend’s most memorable lead vocal performances. With its brooding atmosphere and hypnotic groove, it remains one of The Who’s most enduring later-era songs. Other highlights include “I’ve Known No War,” a sweeping anti-war anthem that channels the band’s earlier grandiosity, and “Dangerous,” a track that showcases John Entwistle’s signature bass prowess.
Lyrically, It’s Hard reflects Townshend’s struggles with fame, addiction, and middle age, alongside broader political themes. Songs like “Cooks County” tackle poverty and societal decay, while “I’ve Known No War” critiques the way war is perceived by those who have never actually fought in one. Unlike the youthful rebellion of My Generation or the rock opera theatrics of Tommy and Quadrophenia, this album feels more world-weary, introspective, and conflicted, as if The Who were grappling with their own place in a rapidly changing world.
It’s Hard received mixed reviews. Some critics praised its moments of brilliance, particularly “Eminence Front,” while others felt it lacked the raw power and innovation of their peak years. It performed moderately well commercially, reaching #11 on the US Billboard 200 and #16 on the UK Albums Chart, but it was clear that The Who were no longer the dominant force they once were in rock music. The album’s “farewell tour”—which included a massive stadium show at Shea Stadium—further cemented the idea that The Who were winding down.
In retrospect, It’s Hard is often seen as one of The Who’s weaker efforts, but it still has its moments of brilliance, particularly in “Eminence Front” and “I’ve Known No War.” While it doesn’t match the groundbreaking energy of their best albums, it remains an interesting snapshot of a legendary band trying to adapt to a new era. For longtime fans, it’s a bittersweet farewell to The Who’s classic era, offering both flashes of greatness and signs of creative exhaustion.
180 Gram Vinyl
Polydor Records
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Athena
It’s Your Turn
Cook’s County
It’s Hard
Dangerous
Eminence Front
I’ve Known No War
One Life’s Enough
One At A Time
Why Did I Fall For That
A Man Is A Man
Cry If You Want
